• Mattress Guides
    • Best Mattresses

    • Best Mattresses of 2023
    • For Side Sleepers
    • For Back Pain
    • Mail Order Mattress
    • Cooling Mattresses
    • Eco-Friendly Mattresses
    • Mattress Types

    • Fiberglass Free Mattresses
    • Memory Foam Mattresses
    • Hybrid Mattresses
    • Innerspring Mattresses
    • Soft Mattresses
    • Firm Mattresses
    • Mattress Reviews

    • Amerisleep Review
    • Zoma Review
    • Vaya Review
    • Avocado Review
    • Eight Sleep Review
    • Mattress Guides

    • Mattress Buying Guide
    • Mattress Sizes
    • Mattress Foundation Sizes
    • Bed Frame Sizes
  • Bedding Guides
    • Comforters & Blankets

    • Best Comforters
    • Best Down Comforters
    • Best Duvets
    • Best Blankets
    • Pillows

    • Best Pillows
    • Best Memory Foam Pillows
    • Best Pillows for Side Sleepers
    • Best Body Pillows
    • Comparisons

    • Cotton vs. Microfiber
    • Duvet vs. Comforter
    • FAQs

    • How to Wash Pillows?
    • How Often to Replace Every Type of Pillow
    • How Long Does it Take to Dry Clean a Comforter?
  • Mattress Resources
    • Mattress Comparison

    • Memory Foam vs. Pillow Top
    • Memory Foam vs. Spring
    • Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Hybrid vs. Memory Foam
    • Gel Memory Foam vs. Latex
    • Size Comparison

    • King vs. California King
    • King vs. Queen
    • Queen vs. Full
    • Full vs. Twin
    • Twin vs. Twin XL
    • Solutions

    • Mattress Quiz
    • How to Fix a Sagging Mattress
    • How to Fix a Too Soft or Too Firm Mattress
    • How to Dispose of an Old Mattress
  • Sleep Health
    • How-To

    • How to Power Nap
    • How to Stop Snoring
    • How To Wake Up Early: 8 Benefits To Waking Up Early
    • How to Sleep on Your Back
    • Dreams

    • How to Lucid Dream: Techniques, Benefits, and Risks
    • Night Terrors vs. Nightmares
    • What is a Fever Dream?
    • Natural Sleep

    • Natural Herbs For Sleep
    • Essential Oils for Sleep
Home / Mattress Comparison / Memory Foam vs. Latex: What’s the Difference?
Mattress Comparison

Memory Foam vs. Latex: What’s the Difference?

by Malik Karman Comment on Memory Foam vs. Latex: What’s the Difference?

Eachnight may earn commissions for products you purchase through our links. Our articles and reviews include affiliate links and advertisements, including amerisleep advertising. Learn more

Updated February 25, 2023

Memory foam and latex share similar properties —body-contouring, pressure relief, motion isolation, and little to no noise potential. Both types of mattresses are excellent choices for couples, athletes, and back pain sufferers.

We share details and features that distinguish each type of mattress, including benefits and drawbacks so you can decide which type is the best mattress for you.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory Foam

Memory foam, or viscoelastic polyurethane foam, was created by NASA in the 60s and first appeared in mattresses in the early 90s. Memory foam is a polyurethane foam treated with petrochemicals for a denser and more viscous material.

Body weight and heat softens memory foam, causing it to form around the body’s natural curves for pressure point relief. Once weight is removed, memory foam goes back to its original shape.

Memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic, preventing dust mites and other allergens from invading the mattress and irritating allergies.

Structure

A typical memory foam mattress contains a comfort layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam. Memory foam mattresses weigh between 80 pounds to 100 pounds for a queen size.

Lifespan

Memory foam beds last between 7 to 9 years.

Average Cost

The average cost of a queen size memory foam mattress is $1044.

Pros

  • Contouring close to the body for pressure relief
  • Motion isolation
  • Sleeps silently
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons

  • Risk of overheating
  • Off-gassing odor
  • Feeling “stuck”

Types of Memory Foam

Traditional memory foam has a high risk of overheating because of its dense structure and lack of airflow. To combat this, mattress manufacturers incorporate cooling features like gel, copper, and graphite in their memory foams. Some memory foam mattress brands also choose to use plant-based memory foam which is more porous and breathable.

Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam contains either liquid gel or gel beads, that have been mixed in or swirled into traditional memory foam during the manufacturing process. Cooling gels absorb and disperse body heat to regulate temperature.

Plant-based

During the manufacturing process, plant-based oils partially replace petroleum to produce a breathable, more responsive memory foam. This type of memory foam has little to no VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.

Open-cell

Injecting large amounts of air into memory foam creates an open cell structure with more air pockets, allowing better air circulation inside the mattress.

Copper and Graphite Infusions

Copper and graphite are natural conductors of heat. Copper-infused memory foam pulls heat away from the body and may improve local blood flow.

Graphite is normally used to cool down high-powered machines, like PCs. Graphite-infused memory foam draws heat away from the body.

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Zoma Mattress

  • Price: $499-$1198
  • Mattress Type: Memory Foam
  • Mattress Height: 12 inches
  • Firmness: Medium (5 to 6 on the firmness scale)
  • Best for hot sleepers and people with active lifestyles
  • Available in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, California king, and split king

Warranty

10 Years

Sleep Trial

100 Nights

Shipping

Free

Recommended For

  • Hot sleepers

  • Back, side, and combination sleepers

  • Athletes and other sleepers seeking deeper sleep

Mattress Highlights

  • Gel infusions move heat away from the body

  • Buoyant transition layer helps the bed react to movements

  • Durable base foam helps the mattress withstand years of use

Save $150 on the Zoma Mattress with our discount code.

Claim Deal

The Zoma Mattress has quite a few features that set it apart from the typical run-of-the-mill memory foam mattress or other gel memory foam beds. With its responsive, durable foams and cooling features, the Zoma Mattress is designed to help you sleep longer for better rest and recovery.

The top layer of gel memory foam features Triangulex™ technology, with triangular cutouts placed in the head, shoulder, and leg sections. By covering roughly two-thirds of the mattress, these cutouts increase pressure relief to sensitive areas while allowing the middle of the bed to focus on back support.

The mattress’s transition layer is named Reactiv™ for its responsiveness, making it easy for sleepers lie down without sinking too far and move across the surface when they want to get out of bed. At the base of the mattress is Support+ foam, engineered to increase the bed’s overall durability.

The Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What is Latex?

Latex Mattress

Latex was first introduced in mattresses in 1931. Similar to memory foam, latex conforms to the body to relieve pressure points, restricts motion transfer, and sleeps silently. The difference is latex sleeps cooler and has a responsive bounce. There are two types of latex —synthetic and natural.

Synthetic latex foam is created through a chemical process, using petrochemicals to mimic the properties of a natural latex mattress, except it’s less durable with higher off-gassing potential.

Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap. Two forms of natural latex are Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex contains 100% natural latex and is denser and more durable than Talalay. During the Talalay process, polyurethane fillers are added to natural latex foam to create its signature soft, sponge-like feel.

Both types of latex are hypoallergenic, so sleepers won’t have to worry about dust mites and allergens getting into the mattress.

Structure

A latex bed contains a comfort layer of latex and a support layer of high-density foam or latex. Latex mattresses weigh between 100 pounds to 170 pounds for a queen-size.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a latex mattress is between 8 to 9 years.

Average Cost

The average cost of a queen size latex mattress is $1970.

Pros

  • Rounded contouring around the body to relieve pressure
  • Motion isolation
  • Sleeps silently
  • Cooler
  • Responsive bounce
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons

  • Risk of overheating (stronger in synthetic latex)
  • Off-gassing odor potential (stronger in synthetic latex)
  • Higher price tag
  • Heavier than other mattress types

Best Latex Mattress: Amerisleep Organica

  • Price: $1199-$2698
  • Mattress Type: Hybrid
  • Mattress Height: 13 inches
  • Firmness: Medium (5 on the firmness scale)
  • Best for sustainable shoppers, most sleep styles, couples, and hot sleepers
  • Available in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, California king, and split king

Warranty

20 Years

Sleep Trial

100 Nights

Shipping

Free

Recommended For

  • Sustainable shoppers

  • Most sleep styles

  • Hot sleepers

  • Couples

Mattress Highlights

  • New Zealand Joma Wool® ensures you’re never too hot or cold

  • Talalay latex cushions the body without feeling overly soft or unsupportive

  • Dunlop latex protects against wear and sagging

Save $300 on the Amerisleep Organica with our discount code.

Claim Deal

One of the most sustainable—and comfortable!—mattresses is the Amerisleep Organica. This latex hybrid mattress contains organic, upcycled, and sustainably-sourced materials, ensuring you keep your carbon footprint down when you shop. Despite being so eco-friendly, the Organica provides an excellent balance of comfort and support.

Inside the Organica is 1 inch of New Zealand Joma Wool®, 3 inches of Talalay latex, 8 inches of pocketed coils, and 1 inch of Dunlop latex. The mattress’s cover is made from GOTS certified organic cotton and features needle-tufted rosette’s to increase the bed’s durability.

The Organica is Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®, Rainforest Alliance, and eco-Institut certified. Like other Amerisleep mattresses, the Organica includes a 100-night trial, a 20-year warranty, and free shipping and returns.

Learn more about better sleep

Sign up for sleep health education, expert tips, and the latest and greatest mattress sales.

See Privacy Policy

FAQs

Do memory foam mattresses have latex?

Memory foam mattresses usually contain foam layers —they might contain a transitional layer of latex, depending on the brand.

Is latex or memory foam better for back pain?

Some of the best mattresses for back pain are memory foam. Memory foam reduces more pressure points, provides enhanced support to the lower back, and is less expensive than latex. Try one with a medium-firm feel.

Why is latex so expensive?

Latex is an organic material sourced from rubber trees, so it’s a bit more expensive than other materials. Plus, latex is supremely durable and long-lasting, so people often find it worth the investment.

What’s safer, memory foam or latex?

All-natural, organic latex mattresses are technically safer than memory foam because they contain less chemicals and are made from renewable resources. However, memory foam mattresses are also completely safe for sleepers. If you’re concerned about off-gassing, look for memory foam mattresses with a CertiPUR-US® certification.

Can bed bugs live in foam mattresses?

It’s harder for bed bugs to penetrate foam mattresses, like latex and memory foam beds, but they still can find a way inside of your mattress. Plus, if they can’t make their way inside your mattress, they’ll still loom around your bedframe and bedroom.

What’s Your Preference?

Now that you know the similarities and differences between memory foam and latex, it’s time to decide which mattress you prefer. A new mattress could be just what you need for better comfort and support for a good night’s sleep.

About the author
Malik Karman

“Professional sleeper” Malik Karman is a freelance writer for the eachnight blog. Over the years, Malik has read countless medical studies and explored hundreds of different bedding products in an effort to better understand what goes into a restorative night’s rest. Malik curates many of our “best mattress” guides to assist readers in the mattress buying process.

Find more articles by Malik

Comments

Cancel reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s the best mattress?

Best Mattress

We’ve spent countless hours finding the best mattresses out there so you don’t have to hunt for them.

See Our Best Mattress Picks

Mattress Comparison

Firm vs. Medium Mattress
Jasmin Lee
queen-vs-twin
Queen vs. Twin Mattresses: What's the Difference For Me?
Malik Karman
King vs. Queen
King vs. Queen: What's the Difference?
Andrea Strand

EachNight Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

The EachNight writing team is devoted to creating articles that are not only entertaining and easy to understand but also as impartial, accurate, and well-sourced as possible. Whenever possible, we strive to have our articles fact-checked by our independent review board. We also do not tolerate plagiarism or ill intent from our contributors.

Here are the medical and factual guidelines that a EachNight article must adhere to:

  • We draw upon only reputable and respectable sources when researching our articles’ topics and endeavor to only link to highly authoritative sources. Such sources would include peer-reviewed medical and academic journals, medical and academic associations in good standing, and interviews with or blog posts from certified medical professionals.
  • We may link to news articles or peer-reviewed medical blog posts about studies when appropriate, but always attempt to connect directly to the studies these pages discuss.
  • Our scientific information, conclusions, and analysis are always supported by at least one reputable source.
  • We strive to make any potential conflicts of interest attached to any studies or sources clear to our readers. When applicable, we also try to include conflicting research or questions that may throw a study’s conclusion into doubt to clarify that scientific understandings often change and progress over time.
  • Our articles typically link to other articles and resources on our site. This is solely for easier navigation, and we do not promote our website as a medical resource. Try to speak with your physician if you have medical concerns.
  • Any necessary background information on a topic will be included when appropriate.
  • Our goal is for every one of our medical-related articles to be reviewed by our independent board of experts. Should they spot any medical or health-related misinformation or errors, we will strike it out from the final published article.

What’s a Certified Sleep Coach?

Our writers are sleep coaches certified by the Spencer Institute, which has been training coaches since 1992. Becoming a certified sleep coach means that our writers are well-versed in various sleep science matters, taking us beyond being just a group of mattress reviewers. The certification allows us an in-depth understanding of what we’re talking about when it comes to advising readers on better sleep habits.

About Us

Our simple goal is to provide the information you need to get better sleep each night. We provide a full-circle approach to sleep and wellness that incorporates mental, physical, and environmental well-being.

Company

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Expert Review Board

Our Guides

  • Mattress Guides
  • Mattress Reviews
  • Best Mattress
  • Mattress Quiz
  • Sleep Health
  • Sleep Calculator
  • Mattress Sizes

Newsletter

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out about content, features and more happening at eachnight.

You must enter a valid email.
Each Night Logo

Copyright © 2023 eachnight. All rights reserved.